wireless network > 500m ???

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
"Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router will not work"

Why do you say that? As long as the device had posts that allow for detachable antennas it would. Could anyway. No less chance than a dedicated AP with like power output and controller. In other words, it's still an AP.

You are right, the problem is that none of the Entry Level Wireless Cable/DSL Router comes with a removable Antenna. The WAP11, WET11, and D-Link900AP+ do have a removable Antenna.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
My main reason for suggesting the wet11 is that its cheap, can be hacked for POE and is shown so far to be a pretty reliable box even outdoors.

This is the first link I turned up of someone putting a wet11 in a box with an antenna and a POE hack

There are more elegant hacks for it to with poe to the board. Search the WISP forums and dslreports for more examples.

Why not WET11?

If needed WET11 can not work as an Access Point.

WET11 is not cheaper the other mentioned better APs.

POE is not very relevant to major problem here. The link that you provided voids the WET11 warranty. There is a simpler way to make any AP POE without voiding the Warranty.

An important point made above by rw120555 the WET11 is more universal; the WAP11 has better chance when it is paired with another WAP11.

 

[ktwebb]

none of the Entry Level Wireless Cable/DSL Router comes with a removable Antenna.

Incorrect. My Speedstream 2624 has a single detachable 5 dBi dipole, as did the previous model. I think it highly unlikely that it is the only one on the market. Perhaps but I strongly doubt it.

 

[JackMDS]

LOL, I am silly to claim that I used or am familiar with all of the Entry Level Wireless Cable/DSL Routers.

Every time I make the mistake of using "all" and "none", I get trapped. (Change the word none to almost all of...).

BTW, it is uncommon that an Entry-Level Wireless device will have a factory installed 5dbi antenna. MOST of them come with 2-3dbi "sticks".

 

[SandLizard]

Thanks for all the help guys--i think i got it figured out.

Now I just have to justify the initial cost of setup of a satellite connection with the equipment necessary for the network.

-sandlizard
--if i had a million dollars, i'd buy me t1

 

[ktwebb]

BTW, it is uncommon that an Entry-Level Wireless device will have a factory installed 5dbi antenna. MOST of them come with 2-3dbi "sticks

No doubt. 2.2 dBi seems to be the industry standard, even on enterprise level stock, dipole antennas. One of the reason I went ahead and took a chance on this branded AP/Router combo. Been a trooper so far.

 

[JackMDS]

Hmmm, you got me into trouble. Right now there is a $30 rebate on the Speedstream 2624. I.e.. it goes for $79 After Rebate..

 

[ktwebb]

That's a pretty good deal. I think I paid about 100 after a rebate 4 or 5 months ago. I was a bit nervous never having used a Siemens product but it's been pretty good to me. It does not allow you to turn the SSID broadcast off unfortunately. At least on the firmware I am running and it uses IP access control lists instead of straight MAC address filtering. I don't like that as a concept but you can get pretty elaborate with it, defining specific services to allow or not allow based on group name or IP directly. It's pretty slick but I would prefer to have a MAC filtering option. I haven't checked for firmware lately. It would certainly be something that can add via a flash. The 5 dBi rabbit ear makes the AP a good performer coverage wise and my transfer rate is about 3.5 Mb with 64bit WEP through one wall and roughly 30 feet, which is acceptable.

 

[Soybomb]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: Soybomb
My main reason for suggesting the wet11 is that its cheap, can be hacked for POE and is shown so far to be a pretty reliable box even outdoors.

This is the first link I turned up of someone putting a wet11 in a box with an antenna and a POE hack

There are more elegant hacks for it to with poe to the board. Search the WISP forums and dslreports for more examples.

Why not WET11?

If needed WET11 can not work as an Access Point.

WET11 is not cheaper the other mentioned better APs.

POE is not very relevant to major problem here. The link that you provided voids the WET11 warranty. There is a simpler way to make any AP POE without voiding the Warranty.

An important point made above by rw120555 the WET11 is more universal; the WAP11 has better chance when it is paired with another WAP11.

I usually don't consider warrenty to be a big concern when someone is wanting to hack together something cheap to get the job done that will among other things violate the law because of use of a non certified antenna.

It won't slice and dice or chop onions, it just works as a bridge very well and is quite friendly to being modified for use outdoors with POE which made it seem like a really good candidate for this situation which is why I recommened it.

As always there is more than one way to skin a cat. All the suggestions would work well and the important thing is that a wireless link should be cheap and easy.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Soybomb

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: Soybomb
It won't slice and dice or chop onions, it just works as a bridge very well and is quite friendly to being modified for use outdoors with POE which made it seem like a really good candidate for this situation which is why I recommened it.

I totally agree with your notions, and I take the same approach when it is concerning my own installations.

However, the gentleman who started this thread is considering bridging 500 meters (that is about 1500') giving such a distance the "Return Approach" should be important, otherwise he can end up with a lot of Wireless Gizmos for the Trade Forum.

 

[ktwebb]

Flexibility in general is the main reason I'd use an AP that can be turned into a Workgroup Bridge like the WET11. The WET11 would certainly work and if all that he ever needed that device to do was bridge to an AP it would work well. 80 mW I believe, which is nice, and SMA connectors for a directional antenna if required, which at 1500 feet it would be. An advantage the WET11 appears to have over it's AP cousins with a "client mode", is that it apparantly will associate to any 802.11b AP, where as the client mode AP's, from what I have read anyway, are a bit more finicky.